pumping iron

pumping iron

1. present participle and gerund of pump iron

pumping iron (uncountable)

1. (weightlifting, informal) The activity of weightlifting, especially for the purposes of bodybuilding.
   • 1994, Aaron Binder, Pumping Iron After Fifty: The Golden Thread to the Self, page 29:

     And your partner will be a friend; pumping iron is not a competition.

   • 2002, James E. Wollrab, Malfeasance, page 91:

     He's just another one of Leo's thugs from the east side. Too much pumping iron jarred his brain loose!

   • 2003, Joseph F. Mullen, Strength Training for Women Only, page 35:

     Pumping iron is potentially more productive than aerobic dance, requires less skill training than swimming, produces less damage to the body than running and is less hazardous than bike riding on the open road.

   • 2008, David Marlow, Muscle Bound, page 102:

     Before he left, however, he worked out with Chase one last time, and encouraged his protégé to keep up with his pumping iron, especially since the youngster was making such impressive strides.